Top Law Schools

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me some application advice. I know I am a little bit late in the game and was wondering if anyone could give me some helpful suggestions on where may be appropriate places to submit transfer applications.

I went to a low T3 (Southwestern Law School) and received a 3.63 GPA (I haven't received rankings yet but I believe this will place me in the top 10%,) with some decent softs including two years of work experience at prestigious financial institutions. I am primarily looking to eventually practice at a big firm in either Los Angeles or New York. So far I am applying to UCLA and USC but I am confused as to where else may make sense. I considered UC Berkley, but I don't know if my numbers are good enough to get into there and it might be too late now. I also considered Loyola and/or Pepperdine but I don't believe that the job prospects are much greater there and I've heard that Loyola doesn't even allow transfers to participate in Fall OCIP. Also, I believe I may have a good shot at UC Hastings and/or UC Davis, but I don't know which one has relatively better job prospects. Can anyone give me some quick advice?

Here are the ones I am considering and could use advice on. If you believe any others are appropriate, please let me know. I feel a little clueless about my relative chances of successfully transferring.


UC Hastings
UC Davis
UC San Diego
UCLA
USC
Loyola
Pepperdine
NYU
Fordham
UPENN
Benjamin Cardozo
Georgetown

Thanks for all of your help in advance and good luck to everyone!!

I don't think you have a great chance at NYU, Penn or Boalt.

I'd recommend mid to lower T 1's with a few reaches like UCLA and USC.

I am transferring from a lower ranked school than you and the advice I've been given is that you should apply everywhere because "transfer cycles are unpredictable." The deadline for Berkeley (and Stanford) was June 15th. Most other ones are July 1ish. Get on it. It's taken me a good 6 weeks to get my applications under control (made sure every document was sent to the right place from the right people, the transcript requests were processed when grades were released, etc. It was a nightmare).

Try UCI, good location for SoCal. UCI wants top 10-15%, I think.

I am also applying to UC Davis and 5 others. Davis' website says candidates in the top 5-10% will receive "serious consideration." I am sure Hastings is similar. Between Davis and Hastings, look to what environment you like better, college town or mega metropolis. Davis is less expensive to live in than Hastings. It's something to consider. My vote is for Davis, but I might be biased because my fiance is there.

If Davis considers the top 10%, it might be that the higher ranked schools will want a higher %.

Apply everywhere and Congrats on a solid 1L year and good luck.

UCSD doesn't have a law school

You might be talking about USD (university of san diego; a private school).

I

I applied to Hastings and Irvine. Went complete at Hastings today. Wohoo.